2015 Chevrolet Malibu: Transmission failure
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2015 Malibu report: transmission failure. CarComplaints.com lists 4 owner complaints, average mileage 86,300 miles.
NHTSA has 31 owner complaints for the 2015 Malibu in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11744242 (filed 06/15/2026): “The contact owns a 2015 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle inadvertently shifted between park(p), drive(d), and neutral(n), and the selected gear was not visible or illuminated on the ins…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11725686 (filed 03/19/2026): “The contact owns a 2015 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact attempted to stop to make a turn, and there was a popping sound coming from the vehicle before the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. the v…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: replace transmission (4 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Diagnosis needs a scan tool; repair or replacement needs a lift, transmission jack and the manufacturer's fluid fill/relearn procedure. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $3,350 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Page last updated .